99pts James Suckling

Dried lemons, salted almonds, oyster shells, croissants, iodine, baked apples, spices and some ginger notes. White pepper, too. Vibrant and fresh, with a distinct saline edge. I like the subtle spice character. So much subtle power and tension. 58% chardonnay and 42% pinot noir, from 2006, 2004 and 2002. 14 years on the lees, three or four more than the normal bottle release. Only available in magnum. Drink or hold.

98pts Wilfred Wong of Wine

The Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle Iteration No. 23 is classy, alluring, and persistent. This wine shines with aromas and flavors of creamy notes, green apples, and dried leaves. Enjoy it with roasted lobster in a delicate cream sauce. 

96pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Being released in magnum, the NV Brut Grand Siècle #23 is showing beautifully, mingling aromas of peach, pear, fresh pastry, citrus oil, buttered toast and white flowers. Full-bodied, fleshy and ample, it's elegantly gourmand, with fabulous depth and a long, expansive finish. This is a blend based on 2006, complemented by 2004 and 2002. The volume and texture characteristic of the 2006 and 2002 vintages take the lead here, with the 2004 bringing supplemental aromatic complexity. One of the more demonstrative recent renditions of Grand Siècle, this is a fabulous choice for drinking over the next decade or two.

96pts Decanter

Laurent-Perrier likes to bring out new editions in magnum based on previously released Champagnes that have benefited from prolonged cellaring. This cuvée is a blend of 65% of the 2006 vintage, 20% of 2004 and 15% of 2002 sourced from 11 different grand cru sites. The announced ambition is to attain the perfect year expressing depth and aromatic complexity as well as freshness. A fantastic and generous bouquet that has kaleidoscopic-like scents of white fruits, French pastry, flowers, spices and candied lemon. There is full-bodied vinosity on the palate that is carried forward to the long, mouthwatering finish by a delightful saltiness. A full-throated expression for this captivating Champagne. Dosage: 7g/L. Disgorged: April 2020.

95pts Wine Spectator

Racy acidity sculpts this finely detailed Champagne, and a rich vein of minerally smoke and oyster shell underscores the layered flavors of poached apricot, ripe raspberry, biscuit and candied lemon peel. Linear and focused at first, before expanding on the creamy palate. Reveals hints of crystallized honey, fleur de sel and chopped almond on the lingering finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Tasted from magnum. Drink now through 2027.

Tasting Notes

Intense pale yellow color with highlights evoking the freshness of spring. An intense nose with mixed aromas of candied citrus fruit, honey, summer flowers and a few toasted notes. The soft attack on the palate coats it with the sensation of silkiness. The finish has the freshness of candied citrus fruit bringing with it length and tension.

A blend of 3 exceptional years, complementary in character: 2006 (65%), 2004 (20%), 2002 (15%). A blend with a majority of Chardonnay, 58%, supplemented by Pinot Noir, 42%, and selected among 11 of the 17 existing Grands Crus in Champagne. A blend benefiting from more than 14 years of aging in the Cellars.

Winemaker's Notes

Vintage in Champagne is usually synonymous with excellence for Prestige Cuvées. Contrarily, Laurent‑Perrier believes that only the art of assemblage can offer what nature can never provide, that is, the perfect year. The expression of the perfect year is that of a great champagne wine that has long ageing potential and over time develops depth, intensity and aromatic complexity yet retains its freshness and vibrancy. Due to the format, Grand Siècle in Magnum (150cl) is deliberately aged for a longer time on lees. This additional maturation leads to a further expression of Grand Siècle displaying greater aromatic depth, density and a silkier texture. Since 1959, Grand Siècle has been revealed only 26 times in bottle format and 23 times in magnum.

About the Name

The Grand Siècle (Great Century) is the name given to one of the most prosperous periods (17th century) in the history of France known for the capacity of man, through his works, to create what nature cannot. Louis XIVth, known as the Sun King, by creating the Château de Versailles and its gardens, was the architect of this model of harmony, balance and perfection. The symmetry and perspective of the Jardins à la française, the capacity to grow Mediterranean fruits (especially Oranges inside the Orangerie) in such a Northern climate, creating the Grand Canal, the fountains and ponds with no nearby rivers are many illustrations of this ability of man to sublimate natural elements. The name of Grand Siècle was chosen for Laurent‑Perrier’s Prestige Cuvée based on this common vision to reach a perfection that Nature, on its own, cannot provide.

Blend: 58% chardonnay and 42% pinot noir